The Spanish American War of 1898 is a significant conflict. It marked a milestone in the development of the United States as a global power. It had long lasting effects for the peoples of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, as they moved from Spanish control to being under the influence of the United States. However the impact on Span is not as widely considered.

This new work by John Houghton is the first major one in the English Language to consider the conflict from the view point of the Spanish Navy. Much is remembered of the performance of the United States Navy, but the role played by the Spanish Navy is largely overlooked.

At the outbreak of the conflict the Spanish Navy was going through a long term program of renewal and expansion, which was part of a wider plan to develop an industrial base to support such developments within Spain.

John Houghton looks to examine the state of the Spanish Navy at the start of the war, before looking at its performance in the various theaters of the conflict.

It includes a number of very details tables comparing and contrasting the two fleets. Detailed lists of the ships and their particulars, along with a list of the civilian ships impressed into wartime service by both combatants. The book contains many illustrations and photographs that illustrate the Navy of this time.